cattle

1. 1
   cowsnoun

   Large farm animals such as cows, bulls, and oxen, kept for milk, meat, or work.

   The farmer keeps cattle in the field behind the barn.

   Cattle graze on the hillside through the summer.

   UsageSay the cattle are in the field. For one animal, use a word such as cow, bull, or calf.

   Similarcows, livestock, stock

   Note
2. 2
   passive peoplenounderogatoryfiguratively

   People seen as a passive herd, easily led, or treated as if each person does not matter.

   Like a crowd that all moves the same way because no one decides for themselves.

   To that company, the workers are just cattle.

   She refused to be one of the cattle who follow every trend.

   UsageTreated like cattle blames how people are treated, not the people.

   Similarsheep

   Note
3. 3
   nounarchaic

   Farm livestock such as sheep, pigs, or goats, and sometimes horses.

   Mangcorn is utilized partly as human food, and partly as fodder for cattle, especially for fattening swine, for which purpose it is considered peculiarly adapted.

   1923, Norwegian Trade Review, numbers 6-8Here, cattle means farm animals in general, such as pigs, not only cows.

   Mr. Jos had hired a pair of horses for his open carriage, with which cattle, and the smart London vehicle, he made a very tolerable figure in the drives about Brussels.

   1848, William Makepeace Thackeray, Vanity Fair

   Similarlivestock, stock

   Note

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